Employing optical signals for power and/or communication

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems and methods employing contact lens sensors are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least a portion of the body of the contact lens; an optical communication device disposed on or within the substrate; and a photodetector disposed on or within the substrate, wherein the photodetector harvests light emitted from a device and generates power from the harvested light. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a tag having a circuit including: an optical communication device; and a photodetector that harvests light received and generates power from the harvested light. The tag can be disposed on or within a contact lens in various aspects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/559,350,filed Jul. 26, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a contact lens employing opticalsignals for power and/or communication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are illustrations of diagrams of exemplary non-limitingsystems that facilitate contact lenses employing optical signals forpower and/or communication in accordance with aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a block diagram of a tag for a contact lensfacilitating optical communication in accordance with aspects describedherein.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are exemplary flow diagrams of methods that facilitatecontact lenses employing optical signals for power and/or communicationin accordance with aspects described herein.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a schematic diagram of an exemplarynetworked or distributed computing environment with which one or moreaspects described herein can be associated.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a schematic diagram of an exemplarycomputing environment with which one or more aspects described hereincan be associated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of one or more aspects. It is be evident,however, that such aspects can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more aspects.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “component,”“system,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-relatedentity, either hardware, software, firmware, a combination of hardwareand software, software and/or software in execution. For example, acomponent can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on aprocessor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both anapplication running on a computing device and/or the computing devicecan be a component. One or more components can reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component can be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition,these components can execute from various computer-readable storagemedia having various data structures stored thereon. The components cancommunicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as inaccordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems by way of the signal).

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subjectmatter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition,any aspect or design described in this disclosure as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplarystructures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,”and other similar words are used in either the detailed description orthe claims, for the avoidance of doubt, such terms are intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an opentransition word without precluding any additional or other elements.

It is to be appreciated that in accordance with one or more aspectsdescribed in this disclosure, users can opt-in or opt-out of providingpersonal information, demographic information, location information,proprietary information, sensitive information, or the like inconnection with data gathering aspects. Moreover, one or more aspectsdescribed herein can provide for anonymizing collected, received, ortransmitted data.

Active contact lens systems generally do not include an on-board energysource due to space and power limitations on the contact lens.Accordingly, RF harvesting and corresponding backscatter can be used forpowering the contact lens and, in some cases, communicating with thecontact lens. However, specialized and dedicated RF electronics wouldtypically be required to facilitate RF power and communication; and suchelectronics can be complex and expensive.

Optical communication is a form of telecommunication that employs lightas a transmission medium. Optical signals can be advantageous forenabling power generation and/or communication on a small-scale, such asthose areas typically required for active contact lenses. A lighttransmitter can emit a light signal, which can be received by a lightdetector.

Micro-fabrication techniques can be employed to provide components thatcan receive and/or transmit light from or to the contact lens. Forexample, optical waveguides can be designed and fabricated thatincorporate two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystal geometry for lateralconfinement of light, and total internal reflection for verticalconfinement. Square, triangular or other suitable photonic crystallattices can be utilized. In an aspect, a three-dimensional (3-D)finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) can be used to find designparameters of the photonic crystal and to calculate dispersion relationsfor guided modes in a waveguide structure. In an aspect, the waveguidescan be fabricated so as to improve confinement in a particular directionand symmetry properties of the structure. High-resolution fabricationcan provide for different types of bends and optical cavities within thewaveguides. The optical waveguides can facilitate directing light to andfrom components of the contact lens, and facilitate mitigation of lossesassociated with dispersion of light.

Sensors can be employed on the contact lens to facilitate powergeneration from light. Photodetectors are one such type of sensor thatcan facilitate power generation. Photodetectors are typically made of aphotodiode and circuitry that outputs a current in response to detectedlight. These types of detectors can harvest light emitted from the lightsource and generate power from the harvested light.

Optical communication devices (e.g., reflectors, light-emitting diodes(LEDs)) that utilize light can be employed to communicate in response tolight received. Communication can be performed by modulation of opticaldata back to a receiver. For example, a modulating retro-reflector (MRR)system can modulate received light (thereby changing the intensity ofthe light) and reflect the received light back to a light source. Anynumber of well-known optical modulation techniques can be employed.Additionally, the small-scale of the MRR system can facilitate on-boardpower savings up to an order of magnitude over the power consumption oftypical RF systems.

Multiple optical transmitters can be situated on the contact lens andmultiplex and/or modulate multiple optical signals (e.g., usingdifferent sources as well as different colors, or wavelengthfrequencies) in order to enhance encoding of data (e.g., data sensed onthe contact lens). For example, optical signals can be modulated withdata whereby the modulation type is a function of the data beingtransmitted.

Further, an optical add-drop multiplexing device can multiplex differentsources of light for transmission from the contact lens. In this case,more than one modulated light signal is transmitted on the same carrier,or channel. Different channels can be encoded with the same or differentdata, and multiplexed prior to transmission.

Apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein relate to contact lensesemploying optical signals for power and/or communication. In one or moreaspects, a contact lens can include: a substrate that forms at least aportion of the body of the contact lens; an optical communication devicedisposed on or within the substrate; and a photodetector disposed on orwithin the substrate, wherein the photodetector harvests light emittedfrom a device and generates power from the harvested light, wherein thedevice is located external to the contact lens.

In one or more aspects, the disclosed subject matter relates to asystem. The system can include: a contact lens and a device. The contactlens can include: a substrate; and a circuit disposed on or within thesubstrate. The circuit can include: one or more sensors that sense afeature of a wearer of the contact lens; a communication component thatoutputs information indicative of the sensed feature from the contactlens; a processor that processes the information indicative of thesensed feature; and one or more light sensors that sense light and powerat least one of the component or the processor, based, at least, on thesensed light, wherein the component outputs the information in responseto the sensed light. The device can have a transmitter that emits thelight sensed by the one or more light sensors.

One or more aspects of the apparatus, systems and/or methods describedherein can advantageously employ optical signals for power and/orcommunication on a contact lens. Accordingly, the aspects can reduce thespace typically employed for components on the contact lens that utilizeRF components for power and/or communication.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are illustrations of diagrams of exemplary non-limitingsystems that facilitate contact lenses employing optical signals forpower and/or communication in accordance with aspects described herein.

Turning first to FIG. 1, system 100 can include a contact lens 102 and adevice 116. The contact lens 102 can include a substrate 104, aphotodetector 106, a sensor 108, an optical communication device 110, amicroprocessor 112 and/or memory 113. In various aspects, one or more ofthe photodetector 106, sensor 108, optical communication device 110,microprocessor 112 and/or memory 113 can be optically, electricallyand/or communicatively coupled to one another to perform one or more ofthe functions (e.g., generating power, sensing, communication) of thecontact lens 102.

In some aspects, the substrate 104 can form at least a portion of thebody of the contact lens 102. The substrate 104 can be flexible orsemi-rigid in various aspects. Further, the substrate 104 can betransparent or translucent in various aspects.

In various aspects, the photodetector 106 can be any number ofcomponents that can detect and receive light. By way of example, but notlimitation, the photodetector 106 can be a photovoltaic cell or a solarcell.

The photodetector 106 can be disposed on or within the substrate 104 invarious aspects. For example, in some aspects, the photodetector 106 canbe encapsulated within the substrate 104 while, in other aspects, thephotodetector 106 is disposed on the surface of the substrate 104 orembedded within the surface of the substrate 104.

The photodetector 106 can harvest optical signals emitted from thedevice 116 and generate power from the harvested optical signals. Forexample, the photovoltaic cells or solar cells can receive the opticalsignals wirelessly. The received optical signals can be harvested, andpower can be subsequently generated for use by the contact lens 102.

In various aspects, the photodetector 106 can detect modulated opticalsignals from the device 116 to receive data from the device 116. Forexample, the optical signals can be modulated with data in someembodiments. In these embodiments, the contact lens 102 can includecircuitry that demodulates the optical signal. Upon receipt of themodulated optical signals, the contact lens 102 can demodulate thereceived optical signal and extract the data with which the opticalsignal is modulated. The data with which the optical signal is modulatedcan include, but is not limited to, data for adjustment of variousparameters of the components of the contact lens 102, data to be storedin the memory 113 or the like.

In various aspects, irrespective of whether the optical signal ismodulated with data, the optical signal 124 received can be employed,power can be generated from the receipt of the optical signal, and thepower can be employed to power the sensor 108 of the contact lens 102.

The sensor 108 can sense one or more features of the wearer of thecontact lens 102. For example, the sensor 108 can sense any number ofbiological features of the wearer of the contact lens 102 including, butnot limited to, glucose, lactate or urea levels, internal bodytemperature and/or blood alcohol content of the wearer of the contactlens 102 as described in further detail below.

For example, in some aspects, the sensor 108 can detect fluid on thesubstrate 104 from the eye of the wearer of the contact lens 102. Thesensor 108 can sense level of glucose, lactate and/or urea in the fluid.In some embodiments, the contact lens 102 can include circuitry forevaluating the level of the substance in the fluid. In some embodiments,the contact lens 102 can include circuitry for outputting the sensedinformation to a reader. In either aspect, the level of the biologicalmatter can be compared to a threshold. A determination can be made as towhether the level is too high or too low based on the level detected.

In another aspect, retinal analysis of a user can be performed and anoptical signal transmitted in response to an authentication request.

As another example, the fluid on the substrate 104 can be a particulartemperature. The temperature of the fluid can be indicative of theinternal temperature of the wearer of the contact lens 102. The sensor108 can be a temperature sensor that can sense the temperature of thefluid. For example, in some embodiments, the sensor 108 can be aresistance thermometer that detects the temperature based on an increasein resistance (which occurs with a rise in temperature) or a decrease inresistance (which occurs with a decrease in temperature). The sensor 108can be employed in connection with a thermistor in some embodiments. Asanother example, the sensor 108 can sense a blood alcohol content of thewearer of the contact lens 102. In particular, the sensor 108 can detectthe fluid incident on the substrate 104. For example, the tear film onthe eye can be incident on the contact lens 102. The alcoholconcentration in the tear film can be sensed by sensor 108.

In some aspects, the sensor 108 can sense one or more features in anenvironment outside of the wearer of the contact lens 102. For example,the sensor 108 can sense any number of biological, chemical and/ormicrobiological features in an environment including, but not limitedto, levels of hazardous materials, levels of allergens, the presence ofvarious organisms or species or the like. For example, in variousembodiments, the sensor 108 can sense a level of one or more differentallergens (e.g., tree or grass pollen, pet dander, dust mite excretions)in the environment.

While the aspect shown illustrates a single sensor 108, in variousaspects, any number of sensors can be disposed on or within thesubstrate 104. Further, the one or more sensors can be disposed in anynumber of configurations for sensing the features described herein. Byway of example, but not limitation, the one or more sensors can bedisposed in a circular or semi-circular configuration around theperiphery of the contact lens 102.

The optical communication device 110 can be disposed on or within thesubstrate 104. In various aspects, the optical communication device 110can be or include a light-emitting diode (LED) or a reflector. The LEDand/or reflector can modulate in one or more different patterns tocommunicate specific information about the sensed features to a readeror to the device 116. The reader or device 116 can be configured withcomponents that are programmed to correlate particular modulatedpatterns with specific information and, as such, can determine theinformation based upon receipt of the pattern.

In various aspects, the contact lens 102 can include a communicationdevice (not shown) that can output information (e.g., sensed features,information associated with sensed biological or chemical materials,information associated with internal temperature and/or blood alcoholconcentration in the tear film of the eye) from the contact lens 102. Insome aspects, the contact lens 102 can include the communication devicein addition to or in lieu of the optical communication device 110. Thecommunication device can be optically-powered in various aspects.

The microprocessor 112 can include logic circuitry that can cause one ormore components of the contact lens 102 to perform one or more functionsand/or that can perform one or more functions of the contact lens 102.For example, the microprocessor 112 can cause one or more of the powergeneration, sensing and/or communication functions to be performed viathe contact lens 102. In some aspects, the microprocessor 112 can employcomputer-executable instructions and/or information stored in the memory113 to perform the functions (or to cause the functions to beperformed).

The memory 113 can include a computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-executable instructions and/or information for performing thefunctions described in this disclosure with reference to the contactlens 102. In various aspects, the memory 113 can store informationincluding, but not limited to, the sensed features (or informationindicative thereof) or data received via the optical signal (e.g., datawith which the optical signal is modulated).

Accordingly, in summary, in some aspects, the photodetector 106 canreceive an optical signal, the sensor 108 can be powered by powergenerated from the optical signal and the sensor 108 can output thesensed information. The optical communication device 110 can modulate ina particular pattern in a manner dictated by the output sensedinformation. As such, the modulation can be according to the particularsensed information sensed by the sensor 108. The device 116 can receivethe modulated signal generated by the optical communication device 110and determine the information sensed by the sensor 108 based on themodulated signal received.

Although not shown, in various aspects, the contact lens 102 can includestructure and/or functionality to convert the optical signal to anelectrical signal. For example, in some aspects, the contact lens 102can include a photodiode that converts optical signals to electricalcurrent or voltage. The electrical signal can be employed to power oneor more components of the contact lens 102 in various aspects.

Although also not shown, in various aspects, the contact lens 102 caninclude structure and/or functionality to receive and/or decode infrared(IR) light.

Turning now to the device 116, in lieu of or in addition to receiving amodulated signal, in some aspects, the device 116 can include a lightsource 118 that can generate light. For example, the device 116 cangenerate light, in particular, or an optical signal, generally (e.g., aflash of a camera). The optical signal 124 can be emitted from anoptical-signal emitting component 122 of the device 116 in variousaspects. In some aspects, the optical-signal emitting component 122 canbe a component that generates a flash in a camera, for example.

In some aspects, the device 116 can be positioned within a particularproximity to the contact lens 102 prior to generating the optical signalsuch that the optical signal 124 emitted from the device is received bythe contact lens 102. For example, the device 116 can be within one totwo feet of the contact lens 102 when the optical signal is generated.As such, the photovoltaic cells and/or solar cells can receive theoptical signal and convert the signal to power the components (e.g., theone or more sensors).

In some aspects, as described above, the device 116 can also be adaptedto receive the modulated signal from the optical communication device110. For example, the device 116 can receive the modulated signal atoptical-signal receiving component 120 of the device 116. Optical-signalreceiving component 120 can be any number of different types ofreceivers that can receive optical signals. The device 116 can determinethe information received based on the modulated signal generated by theoptical communication device 110.

In various aspects, the device 116 can be or include any of a number ofdifferent devices having hardware and/or software that transmits and/orreceives an optical signal. In some aspects, the hardware that generatesand/or transmits the optical signal can be general purpose hardware thatcurrently exists on a mobile phone or camera. For example, in someaspects, the hardware can be hardware that generates a flash that isemitted from a camera with a flash feature or from a mobile phone (orother device) having a camera with a flash feature. In these aspects,the flash feature can function as an optical transmitter while thecamera lens can function as an optical receiver.

Turning now to FIG. 2, another system that facilitates contact lensesemploying optical signals for power and/or communication is shown.System 200 can include contact lens 102, a light source 216 and a reader222.

The light source 216 can be any number of sources that can generatelight (or optical signals generally). By way of example, but notlimitation, the light source 216 can be the sun, a source of low-levelbackground light or a device having an optical-signal emitting componentsuch as one above embodiment of device 116 described with reference toFIG. 1. The light source 216 can emit an optical signal 218, 220 thatcan be received by the contact lens 102. For example, the optical signal218, 220 can be received by the photodetector 106 as described abovewith reference to FIG. 1.

The reader 222 can be adapted to receive the modulated signal from theoptical communication device 110. For example, the reader 222 canreceive the modulated signal at optical-signal receiving component 224of the reader 222. Optical-signal receiving component 224 can be anynumber of different types of receivers that can receive and/or senseoptical signals. In some aspects, for example, the optical-signalreceiving component 224 can include an optical demodulator that isconfigured to demodulate the modulated signal. The reader 222 candetermine the information received based on the pattern with which thesignal is modulated by the optical communication device 110.

In some aspects, the contact lens can include the structure and/orfunction described with reference to FIG. 1. In some aspects, thecontact lens 102 can receive optical signal 218, 220 emitted from lightsource 216 and can output an optical signal 114, 226 to reader 222. Forexample, the optical communication device 110 can output the opticalsignal 114, 226 to the reader 222 in response to the output from thesensor 108. The sensor 108 can be powered optically via the opticalsignal 218, 220 received from the light source 216 as described withreference to FIG. 1.

Accordingly, in various aspects, the contact lens 102 can receive anoptical signal 218, 220 from a first source (e.g., light source 216) andoutput an optical signal 114, 226 to a second source (e.g., reader 222).

Turning now to FIG. 3, another system that facilitates contact lensesemploying optical signals for power and/or communication is shown.System 300 can include contact lens 102 and device 316.

The device 316 can be any suitable device that can encode an opticalsignal 324 with data, and output the optical signal 324. In someaspects, the device 316 can include a data encoder 320 that can encodethe optical signal 324, and a light source 318 that can emit the opticalsignal 324 encoded with the data.

In various aspects, the optical signal 324 can be encoded with data at arate high enough to avoid detection by the human eye and/or brain. Forexample, in some aspects, the optical signal 324 can be encoded withdata at a rate of 100 bits per second (bps) or greater.

In various aspects, the data can include instructions or information forstorage in the memory 113. For example, the data can includeinstructions for particular features to be sensed by the sensor 108.

The optical signal 324 can be output from the component 322 in someaspects. The optical signal 324 can be received by the contact lens 102.For example, the optical signal 218, 220 can be received by thephotodetector 106.

The component 326 can be adapted to receive the modulated signal fromthe optical communication device 110. Component 326 can be any number ofdifferent types of receivers that can receive and/or sense opticalsignals. The component 326 can determine the information received basedon the modulated signal generated by the optical communication device110. In various aspects, the component 326 can be or include any of anumber of different devices having hardware and/or software thattransmits and receives an optical signal.

In various aspects, the contact lens can include the structure and/orfunction described with reference to FIG. 1. In some aspects, thecontact lens 102 can receive optical signal 218, 220 emitted from device316 and can output an optical signal 114 to the device 316. The opticalsignal 114 can be output from the optical communication device 110 insome aspects. The optical communication device 110 can output theoptical signal 114 to the device 316 in response to the output from thesensor 108. The sensor 108 can be powered optically via the opticalsignal 324 received from the device 316.

While not shown, in other aspects, the systems described herein caninclude those having contact lens 102, a reader (e.g., reader 222)and/or any device able to emit light (or an optical signal generally).

While not shown, the contact lens can include structure and/orfunctionality for multi-modal operation. In some aspects, multi-modaloperation can mean operating intermittently between RF and optical powermodes and/or RF and optical communication modes. For example, in someaspects, the contact lens can employ RF-based power and/or communicationand, in other instances, the contact lens can employ optical-based powerand/or communication. As another example, optical power and RFcommunication can be employed. For example, in some aspects, the contactlens can harvest optical energy to power the optical communicationdevice on the contact lens, and harvest RF energy to power an RF deviceon the contact lens. For example, an RF device can communicate via RFreflection, or backscatter.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a block diagram of a tag for a contact lensfacilitating optical communication in accordance with aspects describedherein. The tag 400 can be disposed on or within the contact lens invarious aspects.

The tag 400 can include or be associated with a circuit 402 disposed onor within the tag 400. In some aspects, the circuit 402 can include anoptical communication device 404, a photodetector 406, a sensor 408, amemory 410 and/or a microprocessor 412. In various aspects, the opticalcommunication device 404, photodetector 406, sensor 408, memory 410and/or microprocessor 412 can be optically, electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one another to perform one or more functionsof the tag 400. As such, in some aspects, the tag 400 can be configuredto have a level of porosity such that fluids incident on the contactlens can be detected and sensing can be performed by the sensor 408. Insome aspects, the tag 400 can be transparent or translucent such thatthe photodetector 406 can receive light for power generation.

In some aspects, the tag 400 can include information identifying thewearer of the contact lens, information stored and/or detailing featuresof the wearer of the contact lens or the like.

In some aspects, the tag 400 can be associated with an item (e.g., itemof merchandise) and/or can be interrogated by a device (e.g., device116, device 316, reader 222) for merchandising and/or inventorypurposes.

For example, in some aspects, a light source can be associated with orcoupled to an item of merchandise. The optical signal can be received bythe photodetector 406 to power the components of the tag 400, and thetag 400 can output information via the optical communication device 404.The information output by the tag 400 can be communicated via modulationof the optical communication device 404 as described in one or more ofthe embodiments.

In some aspects, the light source associated with or coupled to the itemof merchandise can transmit information about the item to the tag 400(e.g., by modulating the optical signal with data about themerchandise). For example, the tag 400 can receive information detailingelectronic coupons, pricing, warranty information or the like. Theinformation can be received by and/or stored at the memory 410 of thetag 400.

In some aspects, an interrogator (e.g., device 116, device 316, reader222) at a point of sale can output an optical signal that can cause thetag 400 to responsively output information related to the merchandise.For example, the tag 400 can respond with information indicative of anelectronic coupon for the item of merchandise. For example, theinterrogator can be operated by a cashier or other point of salepersonnel to cause the tag 400 to output an optical signal detailing theterms of the coupon (in response to the tag 400 of the contact lensreceiving an optical signal from the interrogator).

In various aspects, the components of the circuit 402 can include thestructure and/or functionality of the corresponding components of thecontact lens 102 described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, thephotodetector 406 can include the structure and/or functionality ofphotodetector 106 described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are exemplary flow diagrams of methods that facilitatecontact lenses employing optical signals for power and/or communicationin accordance with aspects described herein.

Turning first to FIG. 5, at 502, method 500 can include receiving, atthe contact lens, light (or an optical signal, generally) emitted from adevice (e.g., using the contact lens 102 or the photodetector 106).

In various aspects, the optical signal can be of a wavelength that isinvisible or visible to the human eye. For example, the light can beinvisible (e.g., IR light) or other light that is invisible to the humaneye but that is detectable by the photodetector or other detector (notshown) on the contact lens 102. For example, while not shown, thesystems described herein can include those having a device able to emitIR light signals and a contact lens able to receive and decode IR lightsignals. The device can include circuitry (e.g., IR transmitter, LED) toemit pulses of IR light. The contact lens can include a receiver thatcan receive and decode the IR light. The microprocessor of the contactlens can decode data encoded in the IR light in some aspects. In theseaspects, the contact lens can perform one or more functions based on thedecoded data.

As another example, the light received could be visible light (e.g., aflash from a camera). As another example, the light can be low-levelbackground light or ambient light.

As another example, the light can be modulated with data. The rate atwhich the light is modulated with the data can be approximately 100 bitsper second (bps) or greater. In various aspects, the data with which thelight is modulated can include information that can be stored at thecontact lens. In various aspects, the data with which the light ismodulated can include information that can be employed by the contactlens for one or more functions. For example, the data can be informationidentifying features for sensing by the sensor of the contact lensand/or information identifying a query for information (e.g.,biographical information) to be output from the contact lens.

At 504, method 500 can include generating power based, at least, on thelight received (e.g., using the photodetector 106). In various aspects,the power can be harvested by the photodetector and employed to powerthe sensor on the contact lens. As such, an optical signal can beemployed for powering the contact lens.

At 506, method 500 can include outputting the power to one or moresensors that sense a feature of a wearer of the contact lens (e.g.,using the photodetector 106).

At 508, method 500 can include sensing the feature of the wearer of thecontact lens (e.g., using the sensor 108). The feature can include, butis not limited to, a biological and/or chemical feature of the wearer ofthe contact lens. In some aspects, although not shown, the method 500can include sensing a feature of an environment outside of a wearer ofthe contact lens.

For example, the sensor 108 can sense any number of biological featuresof the wearer of the contact lens including, but not limited to,glucose, lactate or urea levels, internal body temperature and/or bloodalcohol content of the wearer of the contact lens as described infurther detail below.

For example, in some aspects, the sensor 108 can detect a fluid on thecontact lens output from the eye of the wearer of the contact lens. Thesensor 108 can sense a level of glucose, lactate and/or urea in thefluid. In some embodiments, the contact lens can include circuitry forevaluating the level of the substance in the fluid. In some embodiments,the contact lens can include circuitry for outputting the sensedinformation to a reader. In either aspect, the level of the biologicalmatter can be compared to a threshold. A determination can be made as towhether the level is too high or too low based on the level detected.

As another example, the fluid on the contact lens can be a particulartemperature. The temperature of the fluid can be indicative of theinternal temperature of the wearer of the contact lens. The sensor 108can be a temperature sensor that can sense the temperature of the fluid.For example, in some embodiments, the sensor 108 can be a resistancethermometer that detects the temperature based on an increase inresistance (which occurs with a rise in temperature) or a decrease inresistance (which occurs with a decrease in temperature). The sensor 108can be employed in connection with a thermistor in some embodiments. Asanother example, the sensor 108 can sense a blood alcohol content of thewearer of the contact lens. In particular, the sensor 108 can detect thefluid incident on the contact lens. For example, the tear film of theeye can be incident on the contact lens. The alcohol concentration inthe tear film can be sensed by sensor 108.

In some aspects, the sensor 108 can sense one or more features in anenvironment outside of the wearer of the contact lens. For example, thesensor 108 can sense any number of biological, chemical and/ormicrobiological features in an environment including, but not limitedto, levels of hazardous materials, levels of allergens, the presence ofvarious organisms or species or the like. For example, in variousembodiments, the sensor 108 can sense a level of one or more differentallergens (e.g., tree or grass pollen, pet dander, dust mite excretions)in the environment. At 510, method 500 can include outputtinginformation indicative of the sensed feature (e.g., using the opticalcommunication device 110). In various aspects, the information can beoutput from the optical communication device via modulation of theoptical communication device. For example, the manner in which theoptical communication device is modulated can communicate the details ofthe information sensed.

Turning now to FIG. 6, at 602, method 600 can include receiving, at acontact lens, from a device, an optical signal that causes an opticalcommunication device to output information (e.g., using thephotodetector 106 of the contact lens 102). In some aspects, the devicecan include a light-emitting source.

At 604, method 600 can include outputting the information to the device(e.g., using the optical communication device 110 of the contact lens102).

Turning now to FIG. 7, at 702, method 700 can include receiving, at acontact lens, from a light-emitting source, an optical signal thatcauses an optical communication device to output information (e.g.,using the photodetector 106 of the contact lens 102).

In various aspects, the light-emitting source can be a device that emitsoptical signals. For example, the light-emitting source can be a camerahaving a component that generates a flash of light. In some aspects, thelight-emitting source can be a source of ambient light (e.g., sun) or asource of low-level background light. In some aspects, thelight-emitting source can also include structure for modulating thelight output with data. As such, the light emitted can include data.

At 704, method 700 can include outputting the information to alight-receiving device (e.g., using the optical communication device 110of the contact lens 102). In various aspects, the light-receiving devicecan be a device that receives and reads optical signals. In someaspects, the light-emitting source is distinct from the light-receivingdevice. As such, the contact lens can receive an optical signal from afirst source and emit optical signals to a second source.

Exemplary Networked and Distributed Environments

FIG. 8 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked ordistributed computing environment with which one or more aspectsdescribed in this disclosure can be associated. The distributedcomputing environment includes computing objects 810, 812, etc. andcomputing objects or devices 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, etc., which caninclude programs, methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc., asrepresented by applications 830, 832, 834, 836, 838. It can beappreciated that computing objects 810, 812, etc. and computing objectsor devices 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, etc. can include different devices,such as active contact lenses (and components thereof), personal digitalassistants (PDAs), audio/video devices, mobile phones, MPEG-1 AudioLayer 3 (MP3) players, personal computers, laptops, tablets, etc.

Each computing object 810, 812, etc. and computing objects or devices820, 822, 824, 826, 828, etc. can communicate with one or more othercomputing objects 810, 812, etc. and computing objects or devices 820,822, 824, 826, 828, etc. by way of the communications network 840,either directly or indirectly. Even though illustrated as a singleelement in FIG. 8, network 840 can include other computing objects andcomputing devices that provide services to the system of FIG. 8, and/orcan represent multiple interconnected networks, which are not shown.

In a network environment in which the communications network/bus 840 canbe the Internet, the computing objects 810, 812, etc. can be Webservers, file servers, media servers, etc. with which the clientcomputing objects or devices 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, etc. communicatevia any of a number of known protocols, such as the hypertext transferprotocol (HTTP).

Exemplary Computing Device

As mentioned, advantageously, the techniques described in thisdisclosure can be associated with any suitable device. It is to beunderstood, therefore, that handheld, portable and other computingdevices (including active contact lens having circuitry or componentsthat compute and/or perform various functions). As described, in someaspects, the device can be the contact lens (or components of thecontact lens) and/or reader described herein. In various aspects, thedata store can include or be included within, any of the memorydescribed herein, any of the contact lenses described herein and/or theRF reader described herein. In various aspects, the data store can beany repository for storing information transmitted to or received fromthe contact lens.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment900 in which one or aspects of the aspects described in this disclosurecan be implemented. Components of computer 910 can include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 920, a system memory 930, and a system bus922 that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit 920.

Computer 910 typically includes a variety of computer readable media andcan be any available media that can be accessed by computer 910. Thesystem memory 930 can include computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and/orrandom access memory (RAM). By way of example, and not limitation,memory 930 can also include an operating system, application programs,other program components, and program data.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 910 throughinput devices 940 (e.g., keyboard, keypad, a pointing device, a mouse,stylus, touchpad, touch screen, motion detector, camera, microphone orany other device that allows the user to interact with the computer910). A monitor or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 922 via an interface, such as output interface 950. Inaddition to a monitor, computers can also include other peripheraloutput devices such as speakers and a printer, which can be connectedthrough output interface 950.

The computer 910 can operate in a networked or distributed environmentusing logical connections to one or more other remote computers, such asremote computer 980. The remote computer 980 can be a personal computer,a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common networknode, or any other remote media consumption or transmission device, andcan include any or all of the elements described above relative to thecomputer 910. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 9 include anetwork 982, such local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN),but can also include other networks/buses e.g., cellular networks.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, inwhich these two terms are used herein differently from one another asfollows. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storagemedia that can be accessed by the computer, can be typically of anon-transitory nature, and can include both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented inconnection with any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, program components, structured data,or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include, butare not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, or othertangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desiredinformation. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one ormore local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operationswith respect to the information stored by the medium. In variousaspects, the computer-readable storage media can be, or be includedwithin, the memory, contact lens (or components thereof) or readerdescribed herein.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program components orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and includes any information delivery or transport media. Theterm “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that has oneor more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals.

It is to be understood that the aspects described in this disclosure canbe implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,or any combination thereof. For a hardware aspect, the processing unitscan be implemented within one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors and/or other electronic unitsdesigned to perform the functions described in this disclosure, or acombination thereof.

For a software aspect, the techniques described in this disclosure canbe implemented with components or components (e.g., procedures,functions, and so on) that perform the functions described in thisdisclosure. The software codes can be stored in memory units andexecuted by processors.

What has been described above includes examples of one or more aspects.It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combinationof components or methodologies for purposes of describing theaforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of variousaspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended toembrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean anyof the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs Aor B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; Xemploys B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and“an” as used in this application and the appended claims shouldgenerally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwiseor clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

The aforementioned systems have been described with respect tointeraction between several components. It can be appreciated that suchsystems and components can include those components or specifiedsub-components. Sub-components can also be implemented as componentscommunicatively coupled to other components rather than included withinparent components (hierarchical). Additionally, it is to be noted thatone or more components can be combined into a single component providingaggregate functionality. Any components described in this disclosure canalso interact with one or more other components not specificallydescribed in this disclosure but generally known by those of skill inthe art.

In view of the exemplary systems described above methodologies that canbe implemented in accordance with the described subject matter will bebetter appreciated with reference to the flowcharts of the variousfigures. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, themethodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks can occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described in this disclosure. Where non-sequential, orbranched, flow is illustrated via flowchart, it can be appreciated thatvarious other branches, flow paths, and orders of the blocks, can beimplemented which achieve the same or a similar result. Moreover, notall illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methodologiesdescribed in this disclosure after.

In addition to the various aspects described in this disclosure, it isto be understood that other similar aspects can be used or modificationsand additions can be made to the described aspect(s) for performing thesame or equivalent function of the corresponding aspect(s) withoutdeviating there from. Still further, multiple processing chips ormultiple devices can share the performance of one or more functionsdescribed in this disclosure, and similarly, storage can be providedacross a plurality of devices. The invention is not to be limited to anysingle aspect, but rather can be construed in breadth, spirit and scopein accordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensing device, comprising: one or more sensorsconfigured to sense one or more biological features; an opticalcommunication device, wherein the optical communication device isconfigured to modulate light to communicate data to a reader device; anda photodetector, wherein the photodetector is configured to harvestlight emitted from the reader device and to generate power from theharvested light, and wherein the photodetector is configured to detect amodulated optical signal from the reader device to receive data from thereader device.
 2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the opticalcommunication device comprises at least one of a reflector or alight-emitting diode.
 3. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the oneor more sensors include a glucose sensor configured to sense a glucoselevel in a bodily fluid.
 4. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein theone or more sensors include a temperature sensor configured to sense atemperature of a bodily fluid.
 5. The sensing device of claim 1, whereinthe light is infrared light.
 6. The sensing device of claim 1, whereinthe optical communication device is configured to communicateinformation about one or more biological features sensed by the one ormore sensors to the reader device.
 7. The sensing device of claim 6,wherein the information comprises a glucose level.
 8. The sensing deviceof claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) receiver, whereinthe RF receiver is configured to harvest RF energy and to generate powerfrom the harvested RF energy.
 9. The sensing device of claim 1, furthercomprising a radio frequency (RF) device that communicates bybackscatter.
 10. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the readerdevice comprises a light source and an optical-signal receivingcomponent.
 11. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the one or moresensors, optical communication device, and photodetector are disposed onor within a substrate of a contact lens.
 12. A system, comprising: areader device having a transmitter configured to emit light; and asensing device, comprising: one or more sensors configured to sense oneor more biological features; a communication component configured tooutput information indicative of a sensed feature to the reader device;and one or more light sensors, wherein the one or light sensors areconfigured to (i) harvest light emitted from the reader device, (ii)power at least the communication component using the harvested light,and (iii) detect a modulated optical signal from the reader device toreceive data from the reader device.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinthe sensing device further comprises a processor configured to processthe information indicative of the sensed feature.
 14. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the reader device further comprises a receiverconfigured to receive the information indicative of the sensed featureoutput from the communication component.
 15. The system of claim 12,wherein the sensed feature is a glucose level.
 16. The system of claim12, wherein the communication component comprises at least one of areflector or a light-emitting diode.
 17. The system of claim 12, whereinthe one or more sensors include a glucose sensor configured to sense aglucose level in a bodily fluid.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein theone or more sensors include a temperature sensor configured to sense atemperature of a bodily fluid.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein thereader device further comprises an optical-signal receiving component.20. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more sensors,communication component, and one or more light sensors are disposed onor within a substrate of a contact lens.